Filed to story: Help! I’m Falling for My Dad’s Best Friend Novel Free
“Jesus!” (Dad)
“f**k!” (Mom ? She’s going to hell.)
“Damn it, Mom!” (Brandon) See, I’m starting to feel bad here.
I stand immobile in the doorway, shocked by this all and I steal a glance at Mr. Collins.
He is not amused.
Hell, he’s glowering at me.
And I know I’m evil and will burn eternally, but it’s so f**king hilarious, I don’t trust myself not to burst into giggles at any moment. So, I take a step back, slam my door and bite my finger until my teeth leave a deep indentation in my flesh. I also go ahead and close the nanny door, making sure to lock it before my secret lover can sneak through and give me a piece of his mind. Oy.
Shaking with silent laughter, I climb onto the bed and seek refuge beneath the blanket.
The clock shows two AM when I finally calm myself and drift to sleep.
SATURDAY
When I finally roll out of bed and tromp down the stairs for breakfast, I find everyone in a dark mood, black clouds of awkwardness hanging over the table. Carolyn isn’t eating with us and a brief inquiry to my mother reveals she’s sleeping off her hangover.
Not long after I pop in, Brandon joins us. His face is just as grim while he cuts into his pancakes.
Guilt snakes up my spine and wraps around my skull. If I’d just hushed Carolyn and sent her quietly back to her room, Brandon wouldn’t have had to been involved in the spectacle last night. Sometimes I just don’t think things through. Fueled by jealousy, I’d let Carolyn make an ass of herself and now I feel like a total dick.
And Mr. Collins…
He sits quietly, eating his eggs and hash browns, sipping his coffee with a perfectly blank expression like always. But I know, deep inside, he’s furious with me. I can feel his could anger coming at me in waves.
Crap.
I wonder what it’ll take to make things right. Just have to figure out how I can talk with him and apologize.
My dad and Mr. Collins chat about going hunting and my mom offers to pack them lunch and a thermos of coffee. Since I’m not a fan of shooting animals for the fun of it and I don’t want to be stuck in a cabin with mom and Mrs. Drunk, I ask Brandon if he wants to join me on a hike to Cedar Point. The trail begins about four miles from the main road, and then up to the hill that overlooks a small lake.
Brandon welcomes my idea and I figure he doesn’t want to be around due to his mom’s behavior. He needs fresh air as badly as I do.
So, it’s settled. Dad and Mr. Collins will take the ATV to their usual spot while Brandon and I hike to Cedar Point. I pack two water bottles and a few snacks into my backpack as well as a book and my iPod. As soon as dad and Mr. Collins leave, Brandon and I set out for the trail.
But, an hour into our hike, I can hear Brandon huffy and puffy like a wolf trying to blow down the little piggy’s house. The fact that this fit, perfect young body has no stamina is depressing.
“Tired?” I look over my shoulder to yell to him.
Brandon wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. “No, I’m good.”
“I take it you’re not a big hiking fan?”
“Yeah… I lift weights twice a week, but I rarely settle in for cardio.”
“Ah…” So many useless muscles.
“I guess you like hiking then?” He groans and pants behind me.
“I run four miles every morning, if I can.”
He whistles. “No wonder you have…” His gaze envelopes me, touches me from head to toe. “Such a stunning body.”
“Thanks.” I grin. “Wanna take five?”
“Nah,” he waves me off. “I’m good now.”
He doesn’t look too good, but whatever… He may be hot, but he is definitely a city boy and doesn’t look comfortable navigating the steep hill or cutting through the dense underbrush. He’s as awkward as a chubby, nerdy guy at the prom without a date. With Brandon’s family cabin not far away, I’d just figured he’d enjoy exploring the forest behind his family’s property. Apparently not.
Twenty minutes later we take five beneath a big oak tree. The leaves have already changed and those that have fallen make a tawny blanket over the tree’s gnarly roots. The temperature is in the mid-fifties and just perfect for hiking.
I hand over a bottle of Evian and open one for myself. Brandon drains his in five minutes, but I only drink a bit of mine, making sure I have more for later.
I roll to my feet and stand still for a moment, listen to the quiet chirping of the birds and the sounds of leaves brushing together… just the quiet, living hum of the forest.
I love nature. The fresh air. The ambience, serenity and tranquility.
Unfortunately, I find myself unable to relax like usual. I can’t shake the feeling we’re being watched. I glance around, peer into the shadows, but don’t see anything suspicious. There’s no wild bear waiting to pounce or a bogey man up a tree.
Hmm…